Anthropy 2023 by Catherine Johnstone CBE

As we look ahead to 2024 and beyond, I am hopeful and filled with optimism about the future! Last week I spent 3 days at the Eden Project in Cornwall for Anthropy UK 2023. This event brings together leaders and innovators from business, health, education, civil society, and media. I was fortunate to contribute to four panel discussions with a range of inspiring leaders such as Dame Julia Cleverdon DCVO, CBE , Natalie Campbell (Belu Water), Steph Bailey (Weber Shandwick) and Brandpie’s young leaders programme such as Sam Squire ( Inspire 2 Ignite CIC ).

I also co-led a wonderful and interactive panel discussion – The Big Help Out: building a prosperous nation – a partnership between Business and Civil Society - with Matt Hyde OBE from the Scouts, Matt Whittaker from Pro Bono Economics , and Fiona Ball from Sky . The appetite to do things differently – to work collaboratively for the common good was palpable; it feels as if we are on a tide of change that is more compassionate in terms of how we treat each other, how we create thriving and more connected communities, and our respect for the natural environment.

This session had several ‘take aways’; innovative businesses such as Sky see significant value in meaningful employee volunteering in terms of staff wellbeing and retention, plus wider social benefits in terms of the communities they serve. And charities must get better at asking what they need from business to drive the type of social change needed to create a fairer, happier, and more equitable and prosperous Britain. ?As the Eden Project and The National Lottery Community Fund demonstrate in their session ‘it starts with community’!

We want to continue these inspiring conversations – if you are an Anthropist or are curious about the Anthropy ambition, please sign up for our event in London – to be held early 2024 – on how you achieve meaningful employee volunteering for all, and build stronger, more prosperous communities. ??

www.royalvoluntaryservice.org.uk/value